Tag: pubmed

BMC Med Educ. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):1375. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06243-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Remedial teaching is a tailored educational approach dedicated to enhancing the academic performance of students facing challenges within the curriculum. By identifying and addressing specific learning difficulties, it provides essential support and guidance to bring students closer to expected standards while preventing future setbacks. We hypothesize that underperforming medical students who receive daily, tailored remediation will demonstrate significant improvement in their formative and summative assessment scores in biochemistry.

METHODS: A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted on 56 underperforming first-year medical undergraduates to assess the effect of targeted remediation on formative and summative assessments in Biochemistry. Training sessions included various remediation techniques over six months. Post-remediation feedback was collected to gather insights into students’ attitudes, perceptions, and the effectiveness of the methods in improving their understanding of the subject. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the most effective remediation for student performance. Benefits and weaknesses of remedial training approaches for future application as perceived by the students were derived through deductive thematic analysis of their feedback.

RESULTS: The mean marks, evaluated out of a maximum of 100, showed improvement from 29.86 ± 7.71 to 71.48 ± 10.19, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). From the students’ perspective, the most effective remediation method was grade incentives in formative assessments (odds ratio 6.19). Five major themes were identified: perceived barriers prior to remediation, positive outcomes and behavioral changes observed after remediation, and strengths and areas for improvement in remediation.

CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that identifying underperformers in the early stages of the medical curriculum and providing them with tailored remediation can enhance their performance in exams. Grade incentives in formative assessments, mind maps, quizzes, quick revisions, and assignments were beneficial remedial tools. Targeted remediation proved advantageous for students in improving their academic skills, exam preparation, time management, and attitudes towards the subject.

PMID:39593026 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-024-06243-y

BMC Med Imaging. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):319. doi: 10.1186/s12880-024-01506-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to perform a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the epiglottis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, including the determination of epiglottis dimensions, the investigation of shape variations, and the assessment of their relationship with gender and age.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on high-quality CBCT images from 100 patients, obtained using the NewTom 5G system. In CBCT images, epiglottis thicknesses (right, midline, left) and horizontal angle at three levels (suprahyoid, hyoid, infrahyoid) were measured in axial sections, while the length and vertical angle of epiglottis were measured in midsagittal view. Epiglottis shapes were identified through 3D visualization.

RESULTS: The midline epiglottis thicknesses were 4.68 mm at the suprahyoid level, 5.51 mm at the hyoid level, and 6.80 mm at the infrahyoid levels. Epiglottis thicknesses and length were statistically significantly greater in males. Of the 100 patients, 51 had a normal curvature, 41 had a flat epiglottis, and 8 had an omega epiglottis. The omega-shaped epiglottis was significantly longer compared to both the flat and normal curvature types (p = 0.011). There was a positive correlation between age and epiglottis thicknesses at the suprahyoid level and horizontal angles at three levels.

CONCLUSIONS: This study visualizes epiglottis morphology and uncovers significant morphometric differences. Males exhibit greater epiglottis thickness and length compared to females, while the omega-shaped epiglottis is notably longer than other types. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the clinical relevance of these morphometric differences, particularly in improving airway management and refining approaches to swallowing function.

PMID:39593020 | DOI:10.1186/s12880-024-01506-y

BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):1469. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11936-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Healthcare use by High-Need High-Cost (HNHC) patients is believed to be modifiable through better coordination of care. To identify patients for care management, a hybrid approach is recommended that combines clinical assessment of need with model-based prediction of cost. Models that predict high healthcare costs persisting over time are relevant but scarce. We aimed to develop and validate two models predicting Persistent High-Cost (PHC) status upon hospital outpatient visit and hospital admission, respectively.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using claims data from a national health insurer in the Netherlands-a regulated competitive health care system with universal coverage. We created two populations of adults based on their index event in 2016: a first hospital outpatient visit (i.e., outpatient population) or hospital admission (i.e., hospital admission population). Both were divided in a development (January-June) and validation (July-December) cohort. Our outcome of interest, PHC status, was defined as belonging to the top 10% of total annual healthcare costs for three consecutive years after the index event. Predictors were predefined based on an earlier systematic review and collected in the year prior to the index event. Predictor effects were quantified through logistic multivariable regression analysis. To increase usability, we also developed smaller models containing the lowest number of predictors while maintaining comparable performance. This was based on relative predictor importance (Wald χ2). Model performance was evaluated by means of discrimination (C-statistic) and calibration (plots).

RESULTS: In the outpatient development cohort (n = 135,558), 2.2% of patients (n = 3,016) was PHC. In the hospital admission development cohort (n = 24,805), this was 5.8% (n = 1,451). Both full models included 27 predictors, while their smaller counterparts had 10 (outpatient model) and 11 predictors (hospital admission model). In the outpatient validation cohort (n = 84,009) and hospital admission validation cohort (n = 20,768), discrimination was good for full models (C-statistics 0.75; 0.74) and smaller models (C-statistics 0.70; 0.73), while calibration plots indicated that models were well-calibrated.

CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated two models predicting PHC status that demonstrate good discrimination and calibration. Both models are suitable for integration into electronic health records to aid a hybrid case-finding strategy for HNHC care management.

PMID:39593019 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-024-11936-7

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):790. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06989-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care (ANC) plays a crucial role in reducing maternal fatalities and morbidities through early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications and ensures the proper referral in the level of care. Various variables facilitate a pregnant woman’s ability to schedule enough ANC visits. This research sought to identify factors contributing to Tanzanian pregnant women receiving adequate antenatal care.

METHODS: The study used data from the 2015-16 TDHS-MIS. We analysed a total of 6924 included in the analysis. The outcome variable was adequate ANC, and we assessed different predictors on how they influence good antenatal care attendance. Bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate logistic regression were conducted at the statistical significance of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: 3438 (49.7%) had inadequate ANC visits. Determinants for antenatal attendance included giving birth outside health facility (aOR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.62-0.95, p-value = 0.02) are less likely to complete all the ANC, mothers who book early for ANC (aOR = 5.79, 95%CI = 4.56-7.35, p-value < 0.001) were more likely to achieve the recommended visits, parity of 2 to 4 (aOR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.48-0.81, p-value < 0.001), and five and above (aOR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.35-0.68, p-value < 0.001) showed a decreased odd to complete adequate ANC, the use of the Internet (aOR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.08-2.42, p-value = 0.02) were two times more likely to attend the required visits, pregnant mothers who experienced sexual violence from partners (aOR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.52-0.94, p-value = 0.02) were less likely to complete the adequate visit, and the use of the mobile telephone for health-related issues (aOR = 1.476, 95%CI = 1.02-2.14, p-value = 0.04) slightly increase the chance of attending adequate visits.

CONCLUSION: This study identified determinants influencing ANC visits. ANC booking, using the Internet, and mobile phones enhance the likelihood of completing recommended ANC visits while higher parity and experiencing partner-related sexual violence decrease these chances. These findings show a need for addressing wealth inequality, geographical barriers, the impact of intimate partner violence, encouraging internet access for health information, and health promotion for early ANC booking to improve the uptake of ANC services.

PMID:39593016 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-024-06989-9

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):788. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06997-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Placental accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder with bladder involvement is found to be associated with severe maternal and neonatal morbidity.When planning surgery or other treatments, a diagnosis and assessment of the invasiveness of placenta accreta spectrum disorder with bladder involvement are crucial.The detection of the depth of villi invasion can be accomplished with both MRI and US.The advent of three-dimensional Crystal Vue provides details additional information for scanning abnorma issue.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to compare and assess the diagnostic accuracy of 2D US combined with the 3D Crystal Vue and MRI in case of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) involving the bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 111 pregnancy patients between May 2019 and November 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University whether or not they had placenta previa were included in the study if they were diagnosed of having placenta increta (PI) or placenta percreta (PP).Both US and MRI were used to evaluate the pregnant women.Total 53 pregnant women were ultimately included in our analysis.53 patients were split into groups with and without bladder involvement. They underwent 2D US,3D Crystal Vue, and MRI.The visual features of every subject were noted. Next, we analyzed the fundamental information, associated medical history, pregnancy outcomes, and different US and MRI signals between the two groups. To determine the potential contributing factors of PAS complicated with bladder involvement, a univariate analysis was performed. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify US and MRI findings predictive of bladder involvement in placenta accreta spectrum.

RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis found that the bridging vessels (OR, 31.76,95% CI, 1.64-614.31,p = 0.022) and the tramline sign “fully” obliterated on Crystal Vue feature (OR, 68.92;95%CI,6.76-702.35,p < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased likelihood of bladder involvement. These findings when combined allowed for the prediction of bladder involvement with an 88.2% sensitivity, a 94.4% specificity, and an AUC of 0.933 (95% CI,0.829-0.983, p = 0.001). The results of the MRI logistic regression analysis were as follows: the three independent risk factors for bladder involvement were: Placental bulge (OR,57.99,95%CI,3.89-835.80,p = 0.003),Bladder wall interruption (OR,11.93, 95%CI, 1.60-88.85, p = 0.016), and Bladder vessel sign (OR, 9.75,95%CI, 1.43-66.21, p = 0.020).The joint diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 83.3%.The area under the curve was 0.942(95%CI,0.841-0.988). Regarding projected bladder involvement, there were no statistically significant differences between MRI and 2D integrated 3D Crystal Vue imaging.

CONCLUSION: Both 2D coupled 3D Crystal Vue imaging and MRI are highly effective for predicting bladder invasion.Ultrasound is preferred over MRI because it is more convenient and more affordable.Among them, the tramline sign “fully” obliterated on 3D Crystal Vue was a new and reliable US sign for detecting bladder involvement.

PMID:39593009 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-024-06997-9

BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Nov 27;24(1):1478. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11996-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is a crucial indicator of healthcare quality, influencing outcomes and providing insights for improvement. This study aims to assess patient satisfaction levels, and associated factors, and identify areas for enhancement at Remera Rukoma District Hospital (RRDH) in Rwanda, where such data was previously lacking.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a mixed approach of data collection was conducted, involving 384 participants (164 inpatients, 220 outpatients). Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews were employed. Patient satisfaction was categorized as Very Satisfied (> 70%), Satisfied (50-69.9%), or Not Satisfied (≤ 49.9%). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate logistic regression, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.

RESULTS: The study comprised 37.8% male and 62.2% female participants. Overall, 52.6% were highly satisfied, 29% satisfied, and 18% not satisfied. Among outpatients, 35.9% were dissatisfied with cashier services, and 46.9% with pharmacy wait times. Inpatients showed 74.4% satisfaction with the admission process, but 69.5% reported delayed test result feedback. Educational level significantly influenced satisfaction, with uneducated participants showing lower odds of satisfaction compared to university-educated ones (cOR = 0.409, 95% CI: 0.186-0.897, p = 0.026). Qualitative findings highlighted issues with wait times, communication, and service consistency.

CONCLUSIONS: While overall satisfaction at RRDH was positive, the study identified areas needing improvement, particularly in communication, wait times, and service delays. Education level was significantly associated with satisfaction level. Addressing these factors, beyond operational efficiency, may significantly impact patient satisfaction. Enhancing communication, managing expectations, and optimizing service delivery are crucial for maintaining satisfaction and improving service quality.

PMID:39593008 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-024-11996-9

BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):1349. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-10251-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite global efforts, HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge, with Türkiye witnessing a consistent rise in annual diagnoses. Patient satisfaction with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for treatment adherence and effectiveness. This study examines treatment satisfaction levels among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Türkiye and identifies associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective cohort study was conducted at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Türkiye, involving 238-PLWH receiving ART. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIVTSQ-12) and demographic/clinical forms. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS: Participants exhibited high overall treatment satisfaction, with significant associations between satisfaction levels and socio-demographic/clinical factors. Individuals with lower education levels, no substance use, minimal alcohol consumption, and suppressed viral loads reported higher satisfaction scores.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential for personalizing HIV treatment strategies based on socio-demographic and clinical factors. Findings emphasize the need to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance health literacy, and implement anti-addiction programs to improve treatment adherence and satisfaction among PLWH. Based on the findings, there is a need to develop strategies aimed at improving treatment satisfaction and outcomes in HIV management.

PMID:39592993 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-024-10251-0

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):789. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06964-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Forming an emotional bond towards the infant is an important developmental aspect of the mother-child relationship. Two questionnaires frequently used for the assessment of mother-infant bonding, namely the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), have shown inconclusive psychometric properties. To ensure comparability of results across studies, it is crucial to examine the replicability of psychometric properties and previously proposed factor structures of measurements when adapted to other languages.

AIM: The study aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of the German versions of both MPAS and PBQ, across three different German-speaking study samples.

METHODS: Maternal data from three longitudinal studies from Hamburg, Germany (PAULINE-PRINCE study, N = 229), and Dresden, Germany (MARI study, N = 286; DREAM study, N = 1,968), were used to investigate the psychometric properties (descriptive statistics, item difficulty, inter-item correlations) and the factorial structure (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA; principal axis factoring, PAF) of both MPAS and PBQ. Correlations with maternal-fetal bonding, adult romantic attachment style, attachment style to one’s own mother, postpartum depressive symptoms, and education level were investigated.

RESULTS: Across the three samples, both MPAS and PBQ showed convincing results regarding the psychometric properties for their total scores, with satisfying to excellent internal consistencies. A strong correlation between the MPAS and PBQ total scores was observed (r=-.71, p < .001). In PAF, for both questionnaires, factor structures on subscale level differed across samples and assessment points. For MPAS and PBQ total scores, significant small to medium-sized associations in the expected directions with maternal-fetal bonding and depressive symptoms, as well as for MPAS with adult romantic attachment style, and for PBQ with attachment towards one’s own mother were found. In two samples, higher educated participants reported less optimal MIB.

CONCLUSION: The results across the three included samples provide evidence for the validity of the construct assessed with the German adaptations of both MPAS and PBQ. However, the factor analytical results on subscale level highlight the need to further investigate the concept of mother-infant bonding in the first year after birth as well as to develop instruments applicable for use in clinical and community samples with satisfying psychometric properties.

PMID:39592992 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-024-06964-4

BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):3283. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20838-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In the context of musculoskeletal health, the emergence of pre-sarcopenia as a precursor to sarcopenia has garnered attention for its potential insights into early muscle loss. We explored the association between different metabolic phenotypes of obesity, and the incidence of pre-sarcopenia over a 3-year follow-up in a cohort from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS).

METHODS: In this 3-year longitudinal study, 2257 participants were categorized into four groups based on their BMI and metabolic status: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUO). The participants were assessed for various anthropometric and body composition indices including muscle mass determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Blood samples were collected for metabolic indices, and participants underwent measurements for blood pressure. Pre-sarcopenia was defined based on low muscle mass. Statistical analyses included logistic regression and chi-squared tests.

RESULTS: The MUNW group exhibited the highest prevalence of pre-sarcopenia (33.5%), while the MHO group had the lowest (2.8%). Adjusted models revealed that the odds ratio for pre-sarcopenia was higher in the MUNW group (OR = 2.23, P < 0.001), whereas the MHO and MUO groups showed lower odds (OR = 0.11 and 0.13, both P < 0.001). Notably, the association was gender-dependent, with MUNW females having a higher risk even after adjustments (OR = 2.37, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that metabolic health may play a pivotal role in pre-sarcopenia, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions based on both metabolic and obesity phenotypes.

PMID:39592987 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-20838-6

BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Nov 27;24(1):1352. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-10225-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. It can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which results in gradual deterioration and failure of the immune system. As the immune system becomes compromised, the patient becomes highly susceptible to life-threatening infection which ends with early death. Even though Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) significantly decreases mortality as a whole, the rate of death is still the highest, especially in the first and second years of ART initiation. The study aims to assess the survival and predictors of mortality among HIV-infected adults after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Jigjiga City Governmental Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia.

METHOD: Institution-based Retrospective follow-up study was employed among ART patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. Data were cleaned and entered in Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to STATA 14 for further analysis. Kaplan-Meier and Log-Rank tests were applied to compare survival differences among categories of different variables. In bi-variable analysis, P-values < 0.20 were included in a multivariable analysis. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to measure the risk of death identify the and significant predictors of death. Variables that a P-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of mortality.

RESULT: In this study 466(53.34%) participants were male and 552(65.56%) were urban residents about 91(10.81%) have died with an overall incidence rate of 3.92 (95% CI (2.43-5.41)) per 100-person year of observation. The overall survival probability of the study group was 83.97%. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, baseline World Health Organization (WHO) stage III/IV (AHR = 2.42(1.43-4.09)) have no caregiver (AHR = 2.23; 95% CI (1.16-4.29)), being bedridden functional status (AHR = 2.18; 95% CI (1.01-4.72)), and poor last known adherence level (AHR = 4.23; 95%CI (2.39-7.47)) were found to be significant predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of death was relatively high, especially in the second year of ART. Baseline clinical WHO stage III/IV, bedridden functional status at enrolment, and absence of caregiver, poor level of recent adherence were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Patients with these risk factors need special attention and are crucial to reducing the rate of mortality.

PMID:39592986 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-024-10225-2